Adding Turboprops to FS2004

[onewinglow]

Turboprop airliners are the orphans of FS2004. There are a few great ones out there, like excellent HS. 748 by Rick Piper or the YS-11 from www.alliedfsgroup.com -- but the really famous planes just aren't out there in state-of-the-art form. If you want to fly the Vickers Viscount, the Lockheed Electra L-188 or Fokker F-27, you are going to have to download a lot of stuff that's kind of hard to find and then set it up. NONE of these planes have virtual ockpits, but they have EXCELLENT panels that have been made for them, complete with cockpit views that provide some "surroundings." These planes are the heart-and-soul of fifties and sixties kerosene burning, so if you're interested in exploring this aspect of commercial aviation, read on. You won't be disappointed, unless you absolutely cannot live without the VC. ;D

This post is intended to provide some guidance in setting up the old turboprops.

For the Fokker F-27

You need the Mike Stone FS2004 model.

www.fsimcafe.com/Downloads/ShowDownload.aspx?ProductID=1341

Get the panel from Fraser McKay. Be sure to read the documentation and edit the aircraft.cfg file according to the directions.

www.fsimcafe.com/Downloads/ShowDownload.aspx?ProductID=1337

Next, get the documentation for the panel. Manual and checklists.

www.fsimcafe.com/Downloads/ShowDownload.aspx?ProductID=1480

Finally, you'll probably want some cockpit views. These come from a panel for the FS2002 version by Ken Mitchell. It's available at flightsim.com -- search for the file name f272panl.zip

To install the cockpit views to the F-27, unzip the following files from f272panl.zip to the panel folder (after you have installed the Fraser McKay panel). We're "swiping" the cockpit views from the Ken Mitchell panel to use withe Fraser McKay panel. It's the "best of both worlds."

RIGHT.BMP
LEFT.BMP
REAR_RIGHT.BMP
FORWARD_RIGHT.BMP
REAR_LEFT.BMP
FORWARD_LEFT.BMP
REAR.BMP

Now edit the panel.cfg file as follows

add this under [Window Titles]

Fixed Window30=FORWARD_LEFT
Fixed Window31=LEFT
Fixed Window32=REAR_LEFT
Fixed Window33=REAR
Fixed Window34=REAR_RIGHT
Fixed Window35=RIGHT
Fixed Window36=FORWARD_RIGHT

add this under [Views]

VIEW_FORWARD_RIGHT_WINDOWS=36
VIEW_RIGHT_WINDOWS=35
VIEW_REAR_RIGHT_WINDOWS=34
VIEW_REAR_WINDOWS=33
VIEW_REAR_LEFT_WINDOWS=32
VIEW_LEFT_WINDOWS=31
VIEW_FORWARD_LEFT_WINDOWS=30

add this to the end of the file

[Fixed Window30]
file=FORWARD_LEFT.bmp
position=7
visible=0
ident=30
render_3d_window=1
window_size= 1.000, 1.000
window_pos= 0.000, 0.000

[Fixed Window31]
file=LEFT.bmp
position=7
visible=0
ident=31
render_3d_window=1
window_size= 1.000, 1.000
window_pos= 0.000, 0.000

[Fixed Window32]
file=REAR_LEFT.bmp
position=7
visible=0
ident=32
render_3d_window=1
window_size= 1.000, 1.000
window_pos= 0.000, 0.000

[Fixed Window33]
file=REAR.bmp
position=7
visible=0
ident=33
render_3d_window=1
window_size= 1.000, 1.000
window_pos= 0.000, 0.000

[Fixed Window34]
file=Rear_right.bmp
position=7
visible=0
ident=34
render_3d_window=1
window_size= 1.000, 1.000
window_pos= 0.000, 0.000

[Fixed Window35]
file=RIGHT.bmp
position=7
visible=0
ident=35
render_3d_window=1
window_size= 1.000, 1.000
window_pos= 0.000, 0.000

[Fixed Window36]
file=FORWARD_RIGHT.bmp
position=7
visible=0
ident=36
render_3d_window=1
window_size= 1.000, 1.000
window_pos= 0.000, 0.000

for the Lockheed Electra L-188

Much easier!

First, get the panel. It's by Paul Strogen and the file name is ps-l188pan.zip and it's at avsim.com -- when you find it, you'll find links there for the plane and the update. The model is by JR Lucariny. Just download and install these, again, read the panel documentation.

Finally, for the Vickers Viscount

The model is from Rick Piper and is available at classicbritishfiles.com/index.php and the file name is visc800.zip

Then get the panel from Fraser McKay. It's available at www.fsimcafe.com/Downloads/ShowDownload.aspx?ProductID=1119

again, read the extensive documentation and do any editing that's required.

[Randy_Cain]

Hi,

For you Convair fans out there, there's a fine CV-580 in several versions here:

www.calclassic.com/580.htm

The original Dave McQueen model has been improved over the years, and has had a VC for a few years now. The 2D panel included is "photo-real".

Yours,

[onewinglow]

Be sure to note that the Sierra Pacific Version is the correct one for FS2004. The others are for FS2002-- they will need the update at the top of the page.

[Roger]

Thanks onewinglow. Any tips for the forum greatfully received